Italy closes Google probe after consent changes

The 2024 investigation accused Google of misleading consent requests and overly aggressive commercial practice.
Italy has closed its probe after Google updated how it explains personal data consent to users.

Italy has closed its investigation into Google after the company agreed to adjust how it requests user consent for personal data use. Regulators had accused Google of presenting unclear and potentially misleading choices when connecting users to its services.

The authority said Google will now offer clearer explanations about how consent affects data processing. Updates will outline where personal information may be combined or used across the company’s wider service ecosystem.

Officials launched the probe in July 2024, arguing Google’s approach could amount to aggressive commercial practice. Revised consent flows were accepted as sufficient remedies, leading to the closure of the case without financial penalties.

The Italian competition regulator indicated that transparency improvements were central to compliance. Similar scrutiny continues across Europe as regulators assess how large technology firms obtain permission for extensive data handling.

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